Health and Safety policy

Kennington Removals Health and Safety Policy

Kennington Removals is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for all employees, contractors, visitors and members of the public affected by our removal services. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our objectives, responsibilities and arrangements for managing risks associated with residential and commercial removals, packing, loading, transport and storage activities.

Policy Statement

We recognise our duty to comply with relevant health and safety legislation and to apply best practice in manual handling, vehicle operations and site safety. Our aim is to prevent injury, ill health, property damage and environmental incidents by identifying hazards, assessing risks and implementing practical control measures in all aspects of our work.

Health and safety considerations are integral to the planning and delivery of our removal services. We will provide appropriate resources, information, instruction, training and supervision to ensure that work is carried out safely and that continual improvement is achieved.

Scope of the Policy

This policy applies to all Kennington Removals employees, including permanent, temporary and agency staff, as well as contractors working on our behalf. It covers all activities undertaken by the company, including survey visits, packing, dismantling and reassembly, loading and unloading, driving and deliveries, storage operations and on-site work at client premises.

Health and Safety Responsibilities

Management Responsibilities

Senior management is responsible for establishing, implementing and reviewing this Health and Safety Policy. They must ensure that suitable arrangements are in place to manage risks associated with moving and handling items, work at height, use of vehicles and equipment, and work carried out at client properties or third-party locations.

Managers and supervisors are responsible for:

Ensuring that risk assessments and method statements are prepared, communicated and followed.

Providing staff with appropriate training, equipment and personal protective equipment.

Monitoring compliance with health and safety procedures through inspections and audits.

Investigating accidents, incidents and near misses, and implementing corrective actions.

Reviewing health and safety performance and promoting a positive safety culture.

Employee Responsibilities

All employees have a duty to take reasonable care for their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. Employees must:

Follow company safety procedures and safe systems of work at all times.

Use tools, vehicles and lifting equipment correctly and report any defects immediately.

Attend required training sessions and apply the knowledge gained in daily tasks.

Cooperate with management on health and safety matters, including participation in risk assessments where required.

Report hazards, unsafe conditions, accidents and near misses as soon as possible.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

Kennington Removals carries out risk assessments for all significant activities, including manual handling of furniture and appliances, use of moving equipment such as trolleys and dollies, access to properties with stairs or restricted entry, loading and securing goods in vehicles and work within storage facilities.

Based on these assessments, safe working practices and method statements are developed and communicated to staff before work begins. These include guidance on planning routes, assessing access and egress, coordinating team lifts, using lifting aids, segregating work areas from the public where possible, and maintaining clear communication between team members.

Manual Handling and Use of Equipment

Given the nature of our removal services, manual handling is a core aspect of our operations. To minimise the risk of injury, Kennington Removals will:

Provide manual handling training covering correct posture, lifting techniques and team coordination.

Promote the use of handling aids such as trolleys, skates, straps and blankets.

Plan lifts in advance, considering weight, size, route, environmental conditions and the capabilities of the team.

Prohibit unsafe practices, such as lifting loads beyond individual capacity or carrying items that obstruct clear vision on stairs or uneven surfaces.

All tools and equipment will be maintained in a safe condition, with regular inspections recorded and any defective items removed from service until repaired or replaced.

Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards

Our vehicles are essential to delivering removal services safely and efficiently. Kennington Removals will ensure that:

All drivers are competent, appropriately licensed and familiar with the vehicles they operate.

Vehicles are regularly inspected, serviced and maintained in line with manufacturer recommendations and legal requirements.

Loads are distributed and secured to prevent movement during transit, reducing risks to staff and other road users.

Drivers follow safe driving practices, respect speed limits and adjust driving according to weather and traffic conditions.

Time schedules are realistic to prevent fatigue and the need for unsafe driving behaviour.

Working at Client Premises

Our teams frequently work in homes, offices and other client premises. To manage risks on sites we do not control, we will:

Carry out a dynamic risk assessment on arrival, considering access, parking, traffic, stairs, lifts, lighting and any known hazards.

Agree safe working arrangements with the client, including clear routes for moving items and any necessary temporary restrictions on access.

Protect property and surfaces where reasonably practicable, for example by using floor coverings and corner protectors.

Ensure respectful interaction with clients and the public, and maintain tidy work areas to avoid slips, trips and falls.

Training, Information and Supervision

Kennington Removals provides health and safety induction training for all new staff and refresher training at appropriate intervals. Additional training is provided for specific tasks, such as manual handling, vehicle operation, use of lifting equipment and emergency procedures.

Supervisors and team leaders are responsible for ensuring that staff understand their tasks, are competent to carry them out safely and receive ongoing guidance and support while at work.

Accident Reporting and Emergency Procedures

All accidents, incidents, near misses and dangerous occurrences must be reported promptly to management. Records will be kept and reviewed to identify trends and opportunities for improvement.

Emergency procedures are in place for incidents such as fire, serious injury, vehicle accidents and hazardous situations at client premises. Staff are instructed in how to raise the alarm, contact emergency services and follow site-specific instructions where applicable.

Monitoring, Review and Continuous Improvement

Kennington Removals monitors health and safety performance through inspections, audits, staff feedback and analysis of incident reports. This policy and associated procedures are reviewed regularly, and at least annually, to ensure they remain effective and reflect current legal requirements, industry standards and operational practices.

We are committed to continually improving our health and safety management systems so that our removal services are delivered as safely and responsibly as possible for our employees, clients and the wider community.